Benefiting From a Most Memorable Night

The Scene: Thursday’s ninth annual Commitment to Life concert benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles at the Universal Amphitheatre. Both before and after, there were outdoor parties. “This event has always had a lot of thoughtfulness behind it,” said co-chair Barry Diller. “And I think because of that it’s become something people like to come to rather than being just another obligation.”

Who Was There: Co-chairs Diller, David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Sandy Gallin and Ron Meyer; Dana Miller, Steve Tisch, Sid Ganis, Russell Simmons, Lorenzo DiBonaventura, Lew and Edie Wasserman, Lou Pitt, Ted Field, Jeff Burkhart, Frank Biondi and honorees Neil Diamond, Jill Barad and Edgar Bronfman Jr.

The Crowd: The show’s writer, Bruce Vilanch, described the 6,500-strong, eclectic gay and straight audience this way: “It’s as if corporate America cruised West Hollywood, and this is who they brought home.”

The Diva Speaks: Jenifer Lewis, who belted out “Goldfinger” while strutting the stage in a glittering Bob Mackie gown and a billowing gold lame-silk cape with ostrich feather sleeves, said it: “Listen, I’ve played Fargo, N.D., in 20 below zero to a bunch of Lutherans, and there is nothing Fargo about this, baby.”

The Buzz: The big divide was over the Neil Diamond performance. On one side were those who adore him; on the other, those who would prefer Fargo, N.D., at 20 below. Maybe even outside in the nude.

Money Matters: Tickets went from $50 to $1,000 each; more than $3.5 million was raised. “If you bought a $1,000 ticket, you’re buying 112 bags of groceries for APLA clients,” said Executive Director James Loyce. “If you bought a $100 ticket you’re providing transportation for 55 people to medical appointments. This is basic stuff, but it’s critical to people’s lives.”

Motivations: When one producer was asked why he made a substantial donation, he said, “When I die, I don’t want to go where all the other studio execs go.”

Observed: One woman said she made special note of this: “I swear I saw Lew Wasserman’s head snap back when they came out nude for the ‘Hair’ song.”

Overheard: “Antarctica is nice, but it’s not like the Hamptons. You don’t want to go every year.”